I think this is an excellent policy, and a long time coming. This is done overseas with good effect. While I don’t think it’s a magic bullet, it is definitely a step in the right direction.

  • @Ilovethebomb
    link
    311 months ago

    It’s a valid point, rather than taking on the supermarket duopoly or other bold measures, Labour is tinkering around the edges with a feel good policy that has been absolutely torn apart by experts.

    • @evanuggetpi
      link
      111 months ago

      Absolutely torn apart? GST free fruit and vegetables is the norm overseas. We’re the exception.

      Sure there’s more they should have done. But I cannot see National or Act doing more.

      • @Ilovethebomb
        link
        111 months ago

        Yeah, and they have court cases over whether a Jaffa cake is a cake or a biscuit.

        • @evanuggetpi
          link
          111 months ago

          They did the same in the UK many years ago. What’s your point?

            • @RangelusOP
              link
              011 months ago

              So because of one edgecase that we could simply learn from, you want to throw out the whole idea?

              This country has a real problem of “if the solution isn’t perfect don’t do anything at all”.

              • @Ilovethebomb
                link
                011 months ago

                I’m going to be honest with you here, you’re coming across as a bit dense with that comment.

                Obviously this is just one example, but there will doubtless be others. Is a coleslaw fruit and veg, or a processed food, for example? What if it includes dressing?

                I used the Jaffa cakes thing as an example because it’s so famous, and also quite funny.

                • @RangelusOP
                  link
                  111 months ago

                  I think it is pretty clear and simple, based on what I’ve seen so far. Coleslaw is processed and mixed, thus not exempt regardless of dressing. Frozen vegi mix is exempt as simply freezing does not constitute processing according to the policy.

                  • @Ilovethebomb
                    link
                    111 months ago

                    Frozen vegi mix is exempt as simply freezing does not constitute processing

                    What about ones that contain corn? That has to be mechanically stripped from the cob. Or what about green beans? They need to be trimmed to size.

                    Does that not count as processing?

          • @Ilovethebomb
            link
            111 months ago

            That was the outcome of the case, yes.

            • @[email protected]
              link
              fedilink
              English
              111 months ago

              Well no. That’s just the situation. That’s what makes a cake and a biscuit different.

        • @RangelusOP
          link
          111 months ago

          Holy non sequitur batman!

          • @Ilovethebomb
            link
            011 months ago

            Thank you for your valuable contribution to the conversation.

            • @RangelusOP
              link
              011 months ago

              I felt your unrelated argument deserved an equally flippant reply.

              • @Ilovethebomb
                link
                011 months ago

                Do you not understand how a lawsuit over classification of food for tax purposes is relevant to a discussion on tax on food?

                • @RangelusOP
                  link
                  111 months ago

                  I understand perfectly what you implied, but since you do not argue in good faith I did not feel the need to reply in kind.

                  You know full well that the policy as announced by Labour has a simple definition. Processed foods that are changed from their natural form in any way other than freezing are not exempt. Your point about an issue in another country that couldn’t happen here is a non sequitur.

                  • @Ilovethebomb
                    link
                    111 months ago

                    Why does that specific example need to be able to happen here in order for it to be relevant though? Do you not understand the concept of an example?